Russia Top 10 Tourist Attractions

Maintaining its own individuality as it straddles the cultures of Europe and the Far East, Russia has always been a mass of times zones, climates and cultures.

Even the two major tourist centers, Moscow and St. Petersburg, are a difference in city dynamics - with the capital more Asiatic in feel and temperament, and St. Petersburg a more cautiously laid-out European metropolis.

The Red Square -- (Krásnaya plóshchad’), Moscow

The Kremlin -- Moscow

Mamayev Kurgan -- (The Motherland Calls), Volgograd

St. Isaac's Cathedral -- St. Petersburg

The Summer Palace of Peter the Great -- (Peterhof), St. Petersburg

The Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood -- St. Petersburg

The Russian Museum -- (Mikhailovski Palace), St. Petersburg

State Hermitage Museum -- (Winter Palace), St. Petersburg

The Tretyakov Gallery -- Moscow

The Bolshoi Theater – Moscow

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The Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre is a rebuilding of the open air theater originally designed in 1599. Shakespeare wrote most of his plays for this theatre and acted on stage too. 

There is a demonstration and tour to illustrate what life was like in London during Elizabethan times. Visitors can see the kind of costumes that were worn, the instruments and music used on stage and the special effects that were used. The complex building of The Globe in 1993 is also recorded using visual panels, commentaries and artefacts.

From April to October the Globe Theatre comes to life with a diversity of Shakespeare's plays. For full details of the schedule see the Globes website or call for more information.

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Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a circle of ancient stones erected between 3000BC and 1,600BC. It is one of the hours of labour. The Bluestones and Sarsen stones were carried hundreds of miles to the Wiltshire site. Mystery surrounds the stone circle as to why it was built. Some think it was designed as a place to worship the sun, others believe it may have been a place of sacrifice.



Visitors are not permitted near the stones unless pre-arranged. Viewing is behind a fence that runs around the stone circle most important prehistoric monument sites in Britain.



It was constructed in three phases and it has been estimated that this took more than 30 million

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Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle is a formidable fort that was built by David I on an extinct volcano is Scotland's capital. Originally built in 1130 the Castle represents over 800 years of Scottish history and is a World Heritage site. St Margaret's chapel was also built in 1130 and survives as the oldest building in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Castle was home to the Kings and Queens of Scotland when staying in the city. It was not as comfortable as Holyrood Abbey but offered far greater protection.



All visitors can take a free guided tour around the palace where they can see the Great Hall built in 1511 and the State rooms where Queen Marie de Guise died in 1560 and her daughter Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI in 1566. Alternatively you can hire an audio guide available in several languages.



The history of the Scots is uncovered in various exhibitions and museums including The Honours of Scotland (crown jewels), Prisons of War Exhibition, Scottish National War Memorial, The Regimental Museum Of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards

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Windsor Castle

Windsor is one of England's leading tourist and weekend break destinations. It has many attractions, pubs, shops, restaurants nightclubs and significant buildings.

Over the preceding years Windsor has become more attractive to a more diverse group of people, whether tourist, leisure or commerce visitor, with attractions from Legoland to the Castle, there is much for everyone - and now more than ever it is a wonderful and thrilling town to visit.

We will try to give you all the in sequence you require to fully enjoy a short or long, leisure or business trip to Windsor.

Windsor has a population of over 31,000 people and is situated near the river Thames in Berkshire and is debatably one of Berkshire's prettiest towns. Home to the Queen of England, Windsor has the largest lastingly lived in castle in the world. With Eton just a short walk over the river Thames it has more than sufficient to justify a few days sightseeing, especially if you want to use Windsor as a base for visiting London. Check out the many easy ways of receiving to and from Windsor transport.

Use Windsor as a base to visit London and the nearby famous sites and towns. With its two railway stations and easy access to the motorways it is preferably located.

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The London Eye

The British Airways London Eye, the capital's 4th tallest building, after the Canary Wharf, NatWest and BT Towers, offers unrivaled views of the city.

Cantilevered out over the Thames, the capital's stunning new marker is the largest observation wheel in the world. The arrangement was built by British Airways to celebrate the millennium. 

Facing the Houses of assembly across the Thames, the London Eye sweeps the skyline at 443 feet.  The wheel's central hub and spindle are connected to the external and inner rims by eighty fine cable spokes.

The  32 traveler capsules, positioned on the outside of the wheel structure, can carry 25 passengers each.   continually revolving, the London Eye can carry up to 15,000 passengers a day, passengers get on and off whilst the Eye is in motion, don't worry it's a lot easier then it seems!

The trip takes 30 minutes and on clear days visitors can see over 25 miles in each direction.

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Modernity in Hong Kong

That's what a Hong Kong tour guide called a group of China tourists for not spending enough on a shopping trip.

A video clip of the tourist guide's rant is now widely viewed after it was uploaded onto the Internet.

More than a dozen TV stations in China had also played the clip over the last few days, reported Hong Kong's The Standard.

Hong Kong's Travel Industry Council chairman Michael Wu Siu Ieng told The Standard on Thursday that investigators know who the guide is and will meet to look further into the incident.

The female guide, called Ah Zhen, told the group, which apparently enjoyed subsidised air ticket prices, that there's no free lunch in the world.

While she ranted in fluent Mandarin on the bus, a tourist took the video surreptitiously.

She compared this group of 24 tourists with another group which spent 10 times more.

She said: "There was another group of tourists who didn't even come out after two hours, and they spent HK$137,000 (S$24,000).

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The Bund, Shanghai

Being one of the Top Ten Shanghai Attractions, The Bund is the “name card” of Shanghai. The new Bund lies along the west bank of the Huangpu River between Waibaidu Bridge and Nanpu Bridge. The four-kilometer-long thoroughfare was listed as one of the top 10 new scenes and tourist attractions in the city. Along the Bund, there are buildings of different Chinese and Western architectural styles, nicknamed the contemporary world expo of architectures. This cultural heritage of mankind has epitomized the modern history of Shanghai. The modern skyline at the Lujiazui across the Huangpu River is within easy view, and as the night sets in, the scene along the Bund is fantastic.

History of the Bund

"Bund" derives from an Anglo-Indian word for an embankment along a muddy waterfront and that is what it was at the beginning when the first British company opened an office there in 1846. The Bund became the site of some of the earliest foreign settlements after Shanghai was opened as one of five "Treaty Ports" specified in the Nanjing Treaty that ended the Opium War in 1842. Because of its proximity to the Yangtze River - the path into central China, Shanghai grew rapidly as the economic center of foreign interests.

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Potala Palace, Lhasa

The Potala Palace, which is now on the list of Chinese national key secluded cultural relics, is the most valuable warehouse in Tibet. It is a huge money house for materials and articles of Tibetan history, religion, culture and arts. The Palace is extensively known for the precious sculptures, murals, scripture, Buddha figures, murals, antiques, and religious jewelry precious up, they are of great cultural and artistic value. In 1994, the Potala Palace was declared the United Nations World Cultural Heritage site.

Add: On the Moburi (Red) Mountain, the northern part of Lhasa, Tibet.



Ways of getting to the top:

1. By taxi from the back of the hill.
2. Climbing up from the front path.

Opening time: 9:30am- 13:00pm; 15:00pm--18:00pm

Price for the Ticket: RMB 100 yuan per person

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Jiuzhaigou

Located in the north of Sichuan region, Jiuzhaigou County (formerly known as Nanping County until being renamed in 1998) is part of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous region. Since the opening of the Jiuzhaigou Valley attractive and Historic Interest Area in 1984, visitors have flocked to the region year by year, and the wealthy tourist industry now accounts for a large proportion of local revenue.

Lying on the highest tableland in the world between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Jiuzhaigou Valley covers altitudes ranging from 2,000 meters (656,168 feet) to about 4,300 meters (14,107,612 feet). With its large number of lake groups, waterfalls and rich variety of endangered plants and fauna, Jiuzhaigou was awarded the status of UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1997 and was also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. The reserve has received a string of other titles including that of a National Geological Park, a AAAA Class Scenic Spot in China and a Green Globe 21.

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Oxford Street

The university city of Oxford is a beautiful and compact city, full of medieval gems, historic buildings and one of the most highly regarded universities in the world. Oxford is also home to an upbeat mixture of shops, bars, cafés, restaurants and clubs. Throughout this city you will find large pockets of green, including spacious parks, landscaped gardens and a scenic canal, with a number of popular punting stations, filled with excited holidaymakers during sunny summer days.



Oxford really does thrive on tourism and makes every conceivable effort to encourage and welcome visitors. There is easily enough here to fill an entire week, although if you are in the city just for the day, it is worth boarding an open-top sightseeing bus and taking the grand tour. Much of central Oxford is surrounded by rivers and small streams, with Carfax Tower making a good ponit of reference, along with St. Aldate's Street. Broad Street is where you will now find the official Oxford Tourist Information Centre (TIC), which stocks a useful free brochure, complete with self-guided walking tour.

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Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace Location:
Buckingham Palace is located in the Westminster district of London within St. James Park. It is accessible from the tube and busses. Victoria Station is just to the south.
Tube Stations Close to Buckingham Palace:
Green Park is to the north of Buckingham Palace, Victoria Station and St. James Park stations are to the south. Hyde Park Corner is to the west.
Busses Stopping near Buckingham Palace:
2B, 3, 9, 14, 16, 19, 22, 25, 30, 36, 38, 52, 73, 74, 82, 137, 509, 510.
Changing of the Guard:
The changing of the guard happens at 11:30, May through August. The frequency is reduced to alternate days from September to April. The time, according to some, varies, so get there a bit early

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London museums

The British Museum houses a world collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures that spans two million years of history. There are artefacts representing every history period from the Vikings to the Romans to the Egyptians and Medievel Europe with examples of pottery, jewellery, statues, paintings, sculptures and many more.



Entry to the museum is free but there are admission charges for entry to exhibitions. As exhibitions change, check the website or call for specific information.



There are lots of activities for children including six trails to explore, workshops, performances and storytelling and backpacks containing puzzles and games. Free art materials are also available for you to create your own pictures.



There is a restaurant, two cafes and a picnic area.



The Museum is within walking distance from several underground tube stations including Holborn, Tottenham Court Road, Russell Square and Goodge St.

Read more: http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/british-museum.htm#ixzz1OrovoIDu

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Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge is one of London's iconic sights and visitors to the exhibition will learn all about its history and how the bridge works.



When it was constructed in 1894, Tower Bridge was the most sophisticated bascule bridge of its time. Today you can see inside the engine rooms where the original steam engines were housed to power the bridge.



The exhibition consists of displays, films and hands on exhibits that chart the history of the bridge. If you have a head for heights you can then go on the walkways at the top of the bridge which give some fantastic views of London's other great sights such as St Paul's Cathedral, The London Eye and Canary Wharf.

Read more: http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/tower-bridge-exhibition.htm#ixzz1OrlRTHvS

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Trafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is certainly the heart of London.  Nelson's Column is located in the centre of this world-famous square which was recognized to commemorate Britain's most famous naval hero, Horatio Viscount Nelson, who died in the fight of Trafalgar in 1805.

London's National Gallery Art Museum is located at Trafalgar Square.  Whitehall runs from Trafalgar Square to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

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UK Top 10 Tourist Attraction

Trafalgar Square has topped a poll of the ten most popular tourist attractions in the UK, according to international visitors.

The report, by travel money solutions provider First Rate Exchange Services, surveyed tourists from the USA, Ireland, France, Germany and Spain.

1. Trafalgar Square
2. Tower Bridge
3. London museums
4. Buckingham Palace
5. Oxford Street
6. The London Eye
7. Windsor Castle
8. Edinburgh Castle
9. Stonehenge
10. Globe Theatre, London

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Hangzhou - Paradise on Earth

First built as a county during the Qin Dynasty some 2,100 years ago, Hangzhou became prosperous after the building of the Grand Canal in the Sui Dynasty (581-618). The city was the capital of Wuyue State (893-978) during the Five Dynasties Period and of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). It is one of the six famous ancient capitals of China. (The other five are Beijing, Nanjing, Xi'an, Luoyang, and Kaifeng.)

Hangzhou has been called a "paradise on earth," with its picturesque West Lake and its many other world-famous sites. It is also noted for its silk industry, which has existed since the seventh century and still flourishes today.

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Karst Mountains in Yangshuo

Yangshuo Travel Guide has all you need to know about Yangshuo and Guilin. Some people call it: Limestone Paradise. Find here all the travel secrets for enjoying this beautiful part of South China at its most. As a tourist destination, there are only few places in Asia more popular then Yangshuo.

Even if you have never heard of Yangshuo (or it's neighboring big city Guilin), you may have seen the photos of the spectacular limestone mountains (karst). Later more about Guilin and the transport facilities. Guilin is 65 km north of Yangshuo.

So, where is Yangshuo? Yangshuo is located in south China, around 800 km north west from Hong Kong. The nearest big city is Guilin, which is the main transport hub for this area in China.

It is an easy place to reach these days and the Yangshuo Travel Guide will give you all the detailed information you need how to reach the little town by bus, airplane, car or taxi.

The Yangshuo Travel Guide will inform you about all different aspects of Yangshuo, what to do, what to visit, where to stay, the local guides, cafes, what to buy and, of course the local specialties, food and souvenirs. You will find all kinds of activities in Yangshuo: bicycling, swimming and rock climbing amongst others.

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The Terracotta Warriors

There is a legend in Chinese ancient capital –Xian, but truly exists and has been lasting for thousands of years. That is Terracotta Army (also named Terracotta Warriors, Terracotta Soldiers), the underworld army of Emperor Qin Shihuang (the first unifier of China, 259BC-210BC), Emperor Qin Shihuang undertook gigantic projects in order to consolidate his power and country like the first version of the Great Wall. Terracotta Army was built at the centre of a complex designed to mirror the urban plan of Xianyang (capital of Qin Dynasty) for conquering the afterlife. The terracotta warriors were unearthed 5 m (16.4 ft) beneath the surface and about 4 km (2.5 mi) east of his mausoleum by a team of well diggers in 1974.


The army is the masterpieces of realism and comprises different branches of the armed force, chariots, horses as well as their weapons. Currently, there are four pits dug and estimates the number of terracotta soldiers are over 8,000 with 130 chariots, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses but most of them are still buries in the pits due to the faulty preservation technology.

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The Great Wall

China’s mandatory, must-see sight, the Great Wall (Chángchéng) wriggles fitfully from its scattered remains in Liáoníng province to Jiāyùguān in the Gobi Desert.

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The ‘original’ wall was begun over 2000 years ago during the Qin dynasty (221–207 BC), when China was unified under Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Separate walls that had been constructed by independent kingdoms to keep out marauding nomads were linked together. The effort required hundreds of thousands of workers – many of whom were political prisoners – and 10 years of hard labour under General Meng Tian. An estimated 180 million cubic metres of rammed earth was used to form the core of the original wall, and legend has it that one of the building materials used was the bones of deceased workers.

The wall never really did perform its function as an impenetrable line of defence. As Genghis Khan supposedly said, ‘The strength of a wall depends on the courage of those who defend it’. Sentries could be bribed. However, it did work very well as a kind of elevated highway, transporting people and equipment across mountainous terrain. Its beacon tower system, using smoke signals generated by burning wolves’ dung, quickly transmitted news of enemy movements back to the capital. To the west was Jiāyùguān, an important link on the Silk Road, where there was a customs post of sorts and where unwanted Chinese were ejected through the gates to face the terrifying wild west.

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The Forbidden City

The Forbidden City, dominating the heart of the city, is a range of well-preserved palace architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the largest of its kind in the country. The original palaces were constructed during the Ming period (1368 - 1644) over 560 years ago and the present complex was the result of several extensions in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

The rectangular 'city' is 960 meters (3,149 feet) long from north to south and 750 meters (2,460 feet) wide

from east to west with four gates on each cardinal point, among which the southern gate, Wumen (Meridian Gate) is the main entrance for most visitors to the Forbidden City.

The whole complex was built on an axial symmetry layout with the main palaces arranged on the middle axes from south to north, flanked by associated structures. The complex is divided into two parts by the Gate of Celestial Purity (Qian Qing Men). The first part (south part) is called 'Outer Court' including Hall of Supreme Harmony (Tai He Dian), Hall of Central Harmony (Zhong He Dian) and Hall of Preserved Harmony (Bao He Dian). In this section the emperors exerted their supreme power over the people and the imperial ceremonial events were held. For example, it was on the three-tier marble terrace of the Hall of Supreme Harmony (Tai He Dian) that an emperor ascended to the throne.

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China Top 10 Tourist Attraction

China is a vast and strange country spanning thousands of miles from the deserts in the west to the ocean on the east. Culturally, China has one of the most rich and textured histories of all civilizations that encompasses over 5,000 years. This is rich material for a traveler.

1. The Forbidden City
2. The Great Wall
3. The Terracotta Warriors
4. Karst Mountains in Yangshuo
5. Hangzhou - Paradise on Earth
6. Jiuzhaigou
7. Potala Palace, Lhasa
8. The Bund, Shanghai
9. Giant Pandas and Chengdu
10. Modernity in Hong Kong

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Boating in Venice

What could be more romantic than a slow tour of the canals of Venice with an Italian gondolier singing traditional Italian songs... or walking across the Bridge of Sighs as the canals reflect the golden orange sunset in the sky... or watching the bustle in Piazza San Marco as tourists are covered with friendly pigeons looking for a treat?

Venice is perhaps the most beautiful and romantic city in Europe. For many years the Venetian experience included a strange odor coming from the canals, but that is in the past. The clean waters that wash the feet of the building are a pleasure to walk along or enjoy from a gondola or vaporetto.

Getting around

Residents of Venice don't travel by car and neither do the tourists. There are no vehicles, except occasional bicycles, on the streets of Venice. Once you leave the train or your tour bus, you'll be wandering afoot through the colorful tangle of narrow streets that make Venice so beloved... and so easy to get lost in!

The traghetto ferry crosses the Grand Canal – don't sit down on this ferry. The tradition is that the passengers remain standing. Fairly large passenger boats, called vaporetto, are the main means of transportation. Smaller, private motor boats are the Venetian version of taxis.

The gondola, a pitch black, narrow boat propelled by a gondolier with a pole, is mainly used for romantic tours around Venice which cost about 80 euros for a 45 minute ride and a bit more if you start your ride at San Marco's Square... that's a high price for the average person to pay for getting around town on a regular basis. The boat is literally "pitch" covered. The tar pitch used to make it waterproof gives it the well known black color.

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Sicily

Sicily offers a wide choice of holiday options spanning archaeological, historical and naturalistic riches.

Evidence for the Island’s multi-millenial history has been provided by many archaeological discoveries over the centuries. Sites attesting to Sicily’s various colonizations across the Island are today major attractions for tourists from all over the world: necropolises and relics of Sicani and Siculi, considered to be the earliest settlers; temples and cities of Greeks who here founded the two colonies of Syracuse and Akragas, just to name the major, in the 8th century BC; monuments and buildings left by the Romans, the Byzantines, the Arabs and, most of all, the Normans, whose battles against the Arabs, in the 11th century, alas, largely accounted for the irreparable loss of many precious leftovers from the past civilizations.

Sicily is a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea, with breathtaking landscapes and cities – most of which located along the coast. A choice of tour itineraries allow the visitor to explore and experience the multiple features of this incredible land.

Please feel free to advise us of any error or omission you may encounter while visiting our site. The services can be subject to variations. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, contact us by filling in the form on line. We will do our best to satisfy your request.

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Rome Attractions

1. Trevi Fountain: who hasn't heard of the coins tossed into the fountain by travellers in the hope of returning there (remember Three Coins in the Fountain, Roman Holiday or La Dolce Vita?)
2. The Colosseum: hardly needs any introduction, but to walk inside it and hear what happened there centuries ago will leave a lasting impression on you – as undoubtedly did Ridley Scott's Gladiator, supposedly set in this arena
3. Circus Maximus: another magic place where chariot races were held in ancient Rome: this was where Charlton Heston fiercely competed with Stephen Boyd in the 1959 movie Ben-Hur!
4. Bocca della Verità: a must for anyone interested in tales and traditions. Gregory Peck gave a terrible shock to Audrey Hepburn in the 1953 movie Roman Holiday by pretending that he had lost his hand inside the monument's mouth! Wouldn't you like to try?
5. Giardino degli Aranci: few people get to see this lovely spot that is also famous because out of the keyhole of its gate (when it is closed) you can see St. Peter's Basilica focused in the distance
6. "All roads lead to Rome". Actually, in antiquity all roads started from Rome to connect the city with its Empire. See the remains of the Miliarium Aureum, erected in the Roman Forum to mark the starting point of all Roman roads
7. The Dome of St. Peter's Basilica: visit this magnificent church, a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces. But wouldn't you also love having a view of the whole of Rome from the church dome? There is an elevator waiting to take you up the top
8. The Site of Caesar's murder. Envy and fear armed the murderers of Rome's most famous general and a brilliant statesman. But, contrary to common opinion, he was not killed in the Forum. Visit the site, still marked by a monument
9. The climbing road where cars with their engines off go up rather than roll back : a unique phenomenon that no one has been able to explain. Would you care to check for yourself?
10. The Catacombs: you should not miss an opportunity to visit these underground places where early Christians used to bury their dead and hold their meetings to escape persecutions

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The Grand Canal in Venice

The best way to observe the Grand Canal in Venice is by boat. While you can appoint a water taxi, the slower and cheaper vaporetto Number 1 is a good option. The Grand Canal is over 2 miles long and skin three bridges.

The part of the Grand Canal between the train position and the Rialto Bridge offers beautiful views of century-old palaces. Museums in this area comprise the Natural History Museum, International Gallery of current Art and the Giorgio Franchetti collection.

From Rialto to the Accademia bridge, you will travel times of yore the lively Rialto area, Riva del Vin, Ca' Rezzonico and the Accademia galleries.

The last section of the canal, from the Accademia bridge to San Marco, is quite theatrical where Santa Maria della Salute towers above the mouth of the canal with its white Baroque facade.

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Uffizi Gallery

It is quite rare for an art museum to have too many different masterpieces to display. That pleased fate befell the Uffizi Gallery in Florence when the last of the Medici, Electress Anna Maria, willed the whole family members collection to the gallery in 1743. The outcomes, collected over a number of centuries, supply a view of 1 of the finest treasure troves of art anyplace inside the world.

The Uffizi occupies a creating originally intended as office space for the Grand Duke Cosimo I (1519-1574). ‘Uffizi’ in Italian indicates ‘office’. The gallery itself was completed in 1581 from a style by Vasari, under the sponsorship of Cosimo’s son, Francisco. Gradually, the Medici transferred much more and a lot more works here, developing the world’s very first public art museum in 1591.

Numerous art museums begin having a little, occasionally outstanding, collection of privately collected works. Here, as with every thing they did the Medici – rulers of Florence off and on for generations – packed them in by the cartload.

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Tuscany attractions

We will help you to discover Tuscany: a place rich of history, traditions and culture, divided in ten provinces (Firenze, Pisa, Siena, Arezzo, Livorno, Lucca, Massa-Carrara, Grosseto, Pistoia, Prato) which have many differences but that are linked by the pride to be “Toscani” (as we call ourselves).

During the Medioevo and Renaissance Tuscany was home of the most important Italian Renaissance artists as Cimabue, Giotto, Arnolfo, Andrea Pisano, Brunelleschi, Donatello, Masaccio, Ghiberti, Botticelli, Paolo Uccello, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Tuscany is the place where one of the most important and recognized family and institution in Europe, the banking family of Medici, resided in; the place where Niccolò Machiavelli, considered one of the main founders of modern political science, learnt and wrote political treatises about the Art of Policy and Diplomacy.

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Pompeii

A bleak reminder of the malign forces that lie deep in the interior Vesuvius, Pompeii (Pompei in Italian) is Europe’s most compelling archaeological site and one of Italy’s most visited visitor attractions. Each year about 2.5 million people pour in to meander the ghostly shell of what was once a thriving marketable centre

Its appeal goes past tourism, though. From an archaeological point of view, it’s priceless. Much of the value lies in the fact that it wasn’t simply blown away by Vesuvius: rather it was buried under a layer of lapilli (burning pumice stone), as Pliny the Younger describes in his celebrated description of the eruption.

About 1km down the road in modern Pompeii, the Santuario della Madonna del Rosario is a famed pilgrim destination.

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Vatican City Tourist Information

The word VATICAN is an ancient place-name of Etruscan origin. In pre-Christian times it was applied to a vast area of swampy land stretching between what is today Trastevere and Monte Mario. During the Imperial age, however, the area was transformed into sprawling parks, with huge arenas built for sporting events. In fact, what is now St.Peter's Square was probably a circus for chariot racing, and the sire where early Christians in the early part of the 4th Century, constructed a great basilica on the site of what is thought to be St. Peter's Tomb. The current St. Peter's, built during the 16th and 17th centuries, replaced that basilica.

For centuries the Popes lived in the area of the right bank of the Tiber that has become the Vatican City, but the Vatican only developed into the Church's governmental center in the 14th Century when Pope Gregory XI returned from exile in Avignon. From the late 16th through the mid-19th centuries, the Popes again neglected the Vatican, preferring to live in a new palace on the Quirinale Hill, where they believed the air was healthier. It was only after 1870 and the political unification of Italy that the Popes permanently returned to the Vatican. And it was not until 1929, when the Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Holy See recognized its sovereignty and defined its boundaries, that the State of the Vatican City was established as the official home of the Pope and the center of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican is the smallest sovereign state in the world (its 108 1/2 acres make it one-third the size of Monaco). It has its own currency, postal service, passport, newspapers, radio station and railroad system. Its population of less than 1000 consists almost entirely of Church personnel, Vatican administrators and representatives of international organizations.

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Colosseum in Rome

Rome guide - Get a taste of what you're in for with a unbelievable array of what Rome has to offer in a complete guide to what's on, where to go, what to see, and how to get there, with a guide to 24-hour Rome, theater, sports, kid-friendly attractions, maps, pictures, and don't miss the effective tour of the Borghese Gallery.

The Vatican - The official site with a direct in pictures & text to their surprising art holdings, as well as the Vatican Library, archives, liturgical services, and information on the City State government.

Enjoy Rome City Guide - The online version of the print direct with lots of info on the famed sights, day trips, restaurants, Rome for free, getting around, as well tips and tricks to money, mail, phones, and more.

Christmas in Rome - Good overview of the old customs experiential, with churches vying for the title of best Christmas crib, La Befana creation visits to good boys and girls on Christmas Eve, and a survey of customary dishes including recipes for spumetti, and struffoli.

Rome Explorer - Well-organized link directory to travel essentials, walking tours, accommodation and restaurants, entertainment, shopping, related chats and forums.

Rome Buddy - Billing itself as 'Rome without the hype' and like having a best friend near you - with insider tips on beggars, pickpockets and street crime, to where to find the best bathrooms, what to expect at the grocery store and lots more useful info for the Rome newbie.

Rome Links - Perhaps the easiest to use guide to EVERYTHING Rome - politeness of the Rome Study Center at the University of Washington Seattle, including links to museums and cultural sites, history, art and architecture, general tourist info, hotels and lodging, picture galleries, Internet access, and lots, lots more.

Cafe Life Rome - Excellent reporting in an archived feature in EasyJet In-Flight magazine on where to find the best cappuccino, espresso and gelato (Italian ice cream) in Rome.

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The Top Ten Italy Tourist Attractions

It is the land of arts, traditions and monuments, it is world-famous for its food, it is known for its luxury sports cars and motorcycles, it is the home to some of the most stunning costs, lakes and mountains in the world, and wait, it has got its own style statement Italy, in its true sense, is a heaven for the travelers. No matter what types of destinations you like the most, Italy has got everything in store for you. And this is simply the motive behind the fact that this country is among the top 5 tourist destinations in the world in terms of the number of visitors.

1. Colosseum in Rome

2. Vatican City

3. Leaning Tower of Pisa

4. Pompeii

5. Tuscany attractions

6. Uffizi Gallery

7. The Grand Canal in Venice

8. Rome Attractions

9. Sicily

10. Boating in Venice

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Yellowstone Tourist Attraction

Whilst the endless tourist attractions within the Yellowstone National Park do rather dominate the tourism scene throughout Montana, the town of West Yellowstone does contain its very own sights. Attractions in the town include the IMAX Theater on South Canyon Street, the Bear's Den Cinema on Electric Street, and the historic Playmill Theater on Madison Avenue, where regular musical productions are staged.



Very near to the town is Hebgen Lake, which is located on the northern side of Yellowstone Airport and affords some truly spectacular natural scenery. Tourists will find even more attractions within Henry's Lake State Park, which is on the westerly outskirts of town and just a matter of minutes away.

Hebgen Lake


Address: West Yellowstone, Montana (MT), USA, US

The summer months tend to be the busiest, with visitors from West Yellowstone coming to Hebgen Lake to boat, sail, fish, hike and camp, while in the snowy winter months, the area become a hotspot for snowmobiling. In the summer of 1959, a major earthquake (7.3 on the Richter scale) took place here, causing a landslide to dam the Madison River. This seismic activity subsequently created the adjacent 'Quake Lake', which is equally appealing and lies within the Gallatin National Forest.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - 24 hours

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: free

Buffalo Bus Tours of Yellowstone National Park


Address: West Yellowstone, Montana (MT), USA, US

Tel: +1 800 426 7669

Those staying in town and without a car will find that the Buffalo Bus Tours are the very best way to explore the Yellowstone National Park, as well as the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Buffalo Bus Tours start each day at 08:15, with an early start ensuring a plenty of time for a full day's sightseeing. Expect to see world-class attractions such as Old Faithful and other active geysers, along with the Dunraven Pass, the Grand Canyon, the Obsidian Cliff and the Virginia Cascade, whilst learning more about the park's geothermal and volcanic history from the knowledgeable tour guides.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - seasonal variations apply

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: charge, concessions.

Henry's Lake State Park

Address: 3489 Green Canyon Road, Island Park, Idaho (ID), USA, US

Tel: +1 208 558 7532

The Henry's Lake State Park is especially close to the town, lying around 14 miles / 23 km to the west. Many breathtaking mountain peaks surround the lake itself, which offers superb fishing, with plenty of cutthroat-rainbow trout awaiting. Other attractions within the Henry's Lake State Park include boating, picnicking and self-guided hiking trails around the wilderness, which lead towards the Targhee Creek Basin. Within the park are no less than 45 different camping sites, many of which come with very comprehensive facilities.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - 24 hours

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: free

IMAX Theater

Address: 101 South Canyon Street, West Yellowstone, US-59758, Montana (MT), USA, US

Tel: +1 406 646 4100

The town's extremely popular IMAX Theater is much more than simply a state-of-the-art cinema, since it contains a series of different tourist attractions. The lobby itself is home to various historical displays, while the gift shop is amongst the very best that the town has to offer, selling everything from movie-related T-shirts to local arts and crafts. However, most come to the IMAX Theater to enjoy spectacular movies shown on an enormous screen, with the film concentrating on the history of Yellowstone National Park always proving a firm favorite.

West Yellowstone tourist attraction open: daily - hours vary

West Yellowstone tourist attraction admission: charge, concessions available

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New Orleans Tourist Attraction

New Orleans Sightseeing


With a lively atmosphere and near endless tourist attractions that New Orleans has to offer, you'll never get bored during a visit to this fabulous city.



There are attractions to suit all tastes and ages, ranging from the partying and debauchery of Bourbon Street in the French Quarter to the stately homes and gardens of the Garden District, not to mention the zoos, aquariums, museums, art galleries, markets, monuments and historical buildings of various architectural styles that are scattered throughout the city. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in New Orleans.


Aquarium of the Americas


1 Canal Street,

New Orleans,

Louisiana (LA), 70130, USA

Tel: +1 504 861 2537
Located in Uptown right on the Mississippi River, the Aquarium of the Americas is home to a stunning array of aquatic wildlife from various habitats, including the Amazon and the Mississippi Delta. Among the more than 7,000 marine species you will see sharks and dolphins, sea otters, sea lions, jellyfish, eels and turtles.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: Sunday to Thursday - 09:30 to 18:00, Friday to Saturday - 09:30 to 19:00

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens, members free. Combination tickets available for the Aquarium, Zoo and IMAX Theater.
Audubon Zoo


6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana (LA), 70118, USA

Tel: +1 504 861 2537.

Audubon Zoo consistently ranks as one of the best zoos in the country and features a wide array of animals from around the world including a number of endangered species. Interactive exhibits are also on offer at Audubon Zoo, as well as scheduled animal shows.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: April to November, Monday to Friday - 09:30 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 09:30 to 18:00, November to April, daily - 09:30 to 17:00

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens, members free. Combination tickets available for the Aquarium, Zoo and IMAX Theater
Entergy Imax Theater
1 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana (LA), 70130, USA

Tel: +1 504 581 IMAX
The Entergy Imax Theater is located next door to the Aquarium of the Americas and is one of only a handful in the world boasting a flat screen, single projection with high definition 3D capabilities. The theater specializes in nature documentaries, with spectacular, real-life images exploding on a screen over five stories in height.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: daily, except on Mardi Gras day and Christmas Day, first showing 10:00, last show, Sunday to Thursday - 18:00, Friday and Saturday - 20:00

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: charge, discounts available for children, senior citizens and members. Combination tickets available for the Aquarium, Zoo and Imax Theater


French Market
French Market Place, New Orleans, Louisiana (LA), 70116, USA

Tel: +1 504 522 2621.

Located on the banks of the Mississippi from Jackson Square to Barracks Street, the French Market is the oldest continuously operated market in the country, home to buyers and traders since the early 18th century. Today it is a shopper's paradise, with all sorts of weird and wonderful items for sale as well as great food.

New Orleans tourist attraction open: daily - 09:00 to 18:00 (starts to wind down an hour before closing).

New Orleans tourist attraction admission: free, bargaining is encouraged
Jackson Square


French Quarter,

New Orleans,

Louisiana (LA), USA



Jackson Square dates back to 1718, forming the center of the French Quarter, and is where most first time visitors begin their exploration of this lively and fascinating part of New Orleans. Adjacent to the mighty Mississippi River and St. Louis Cathedral, the square is home to an eclectic bunch of street performers, jazz musicians, artists and fortunetellers.

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Washington

Visit the Smithsonian

Start at the Smithsonian Institution Building where you can pick up a map and information on all of the museums. These national treasures cover a wide range of subjects from art to space exploration. Plan to explore those you are most interested in, but don’t try to see everything at once. Be sure to save time to see an IMAX movie at the Natural History Museum or the National Air and Space Museum.

Tour the National Monuments and Memorials

Our national monuments are truly spectacular. The best time to see them is at night when they are illuminated, less crowded and parking is easier. During daytime visits, take a tour bus. Listen to informative park ranger talks and you won’t have to negotiate congested city traffic.

Tour the Three Houses of Government

Explore the U.S. Capitol Building, the White House and the U.S. Supreme Court and you will gain a fuller understanding of the division of power within our democratic government. Plan ahead and note that some tours must be scheduled in advance through your Congressional Representative.

Take a Walk Through Georgetown

Georgetown is the capital’s historic waterfront that today is bustling with activity. The area is a shopper’s paradise and the streets are lined with restaurants of every nationality. Take a tour of historic sites, do some shopping and enjoy a meal at a local restaurant.

 

Ride a Bike Along the C & O Canal

The Washington DC region is lucky to have wonderful bike trails. Jump on a bicycle and you’ll quickly feel a relief from hectic city life. Take the whole family and explore the historic C & O Canal.

See a Show or Concert at the Kennedy Center

Live theatrical productions at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts are entertainment at its finest. Purchase tickets in advance for performances ranging from musicals to concerts by the National Symphony or see a free show at the Millennium Stage.

Attend a Concert at Wolftrap Farm Park

Listen to all types of music at this national park dedicated to the performing arts. Outdoor concerts are featured in the summer and indoor performances are held the rest of the year. The park is located in Vienna, Virginia, just 20 minutes from Washington, DC.

Take a Hike at Great Falls Park

Take a picnic and enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac River at this 800 acre park, located just 14 miles from Washington DC.

Explore Mount Vernon

With the recent addition of the new museum and education center, Mount Vernon is now a full day excursion. Explore the state of the art galleries and theaters, visit the 500-acre estate of George Washington and his family, tour the 14-room mansion that is beautifully restored and furnished with original objects dating back to the 1740's. Be sure to plan enough time to tour the outbuildings, including the kitchen, slave quarters, smokehouse, coach house and stables. The estate is located in Northern Virginia, just minutes from Washington, DC.

Take a Walking Tour of Old Town, Alexandria

Explore a quaint historic town just over the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Visit colonial houses, churches, and museums and shop for antiques.

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Grand Canyon Tourist Attraction

Havasu Canyon

This is a place out of time and of inconceivable beauty, a virtual paradise aqua blue water lies under a waterfall and Native Americans preserving their legacy and language still inhabit and cultivate the land.


Tusayan Ruin


An ancient Puebloean village excavated by canyon archeologists, the Tusayan Ruin offers a look at the life of some of the initial people to inhabit the Grand Canyon.


Phantom Ranch



Designed by the architect of much of the Grand Canyon’s eminent buildings, Mary Colter, apparition Ranch sits at the bottom of the canyon where remnants of early Indians sites dating back to the year 1050 have been found. 


Santa Fe Train Depot


One of the only log train depots left rank in the United States, the Santa Fe Train Depot marks the northern end of the Grand Canyon Railway.

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